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A Christmas Beginning
The fifth in Anne Perry's series of charming Christmas novellas.
For Superintendent Runcorn, Christmas has rarely looked so bleak. Believing that a change of scenery may help him finally forget Melisande Ewart, Runcorn heads for the beautiful, desolate Isle of Anglesey. Any hopes of Christmas passing quietly are dashed, however, when he discovers Melisande is also in Anglesey and, moreover, that she is engaged to another man.
Then the local vicar's sister is found murdered and Melisande's brother is implicated in the crime. Determined to assist Melisande in her time of need, Runcorn resolves to find the killer. Is it possible in doing so, that he will also win the heart of his one true love?
For Superintendent Runcorn, Christmas has rarely looked so bleak. Believing that a change of scenery may help him finally forget Melisande Ewart, Runcorn heads for the beautiful, desolate Isle of Anglesey. Any hopes of Christmas passing quietly are dashed, however, when he discovers Melisande is also in Anglesey and, moreover, that she is engaged to another man.
Then the local vicar's sister is found murdered and Melisande's brother is implicated in the crime. Determined to assist Melisande in her time of need, Runcorn resolves to find the killer. Is it possible in doing so, that he will also win the heart of his one true love?
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
149 people are currently reading
782 people want to read
About the author
Anne Perry
362 books3,378 followersAnne Perry, born Juliet Hulme in England, lived in Scotland most of her life after serving five years in prison for murder (in New Zealand). A beloved mystery authoress, she is best known for her Thomas Pitt and William Monk series.
Her first novel, "The Cater Street Hangman", was published in 1979. Her works extend to several categories of genre fiction, including historical mysteries. Many of them feature recurring characters, most importantly Thomas Pitt and amnesiac private investigator William Monk, who first appeared in 1990, "The Face Of A Stranger".
Her story "Heroes," from the 1999 anthology Murder And Obsession, won the 2001 Edgar Award For Best Short Story. She was included as an entry in Ben Peek's Twenty-Six Lies / One Truth, a novel exploring the nature of truth in literature.
Series contributed to:
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
. Malice Domestic
. The World's Finest Mystery And Crime Stories
. Transgressions
. The Year's Finest Crime And Mystery Stories
Her first novel, "The Cater Street Hangman", was published in 1979. Her works extend to several categories of genre fiction, including historical mysteries. Many of them feature recurring characters, most importantly Thomas Pitt and amnesiac private investigator William Monk, who first appeared in 1990, "The Face Of A Stranger".
Her story "Heroes," from the 1999 anthology Murder And Obsession, won the 2001 Edgar Award For Best Short Story. She was included as an entry in Ben Peek's Twenty-Six Lies / One Truth, a novel exploring the nature of truth in literature.
Series contributed to:
. Crime Through Time
. Perfectly Criminal
. Malice Domestic
. The World's Finest Mystery And Crime Stories
. Transgressions
. The Year's Finest Crime And Mystery Stories
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 328 reviews
November 29, 2016
I was hoping for a heartwarming Christmas story when I read "A Christmas Beginning", part of Anne Perry's "Christmas Stories" series. But the book was a short cozy mystery. The only reference to Christmas was that the main character has time off from work around the holidays.
Superintendent Runcorn is spending his holiday time on the isolated island of Anglesey, located off the northwestern coast of Wales. He enjoys walking, and explores the beautiful island while he is staying at a boarding house. One morning he discovers a murdered women, the sister of a clergyman, in the graveyard. Runcorn helps the local constables with their murder investigation since he is more experienced in that type of work after many years in London.
The lonely Runcorn also gets reacquainted with Melisande, the only woman he has ever loved. She lives on Anglesey with her brother who belongs to the landed gentry class. Runcorn comes from a lower class so he has never told Melisande of his love. Runcorn is told by the supervising constable to be extremely tactful when questioning the upper class friends and family of the free spirited murder victim. Is something being hidden?
This is a cozy mystery with a touch of romance and a likable main character. It's a short, fluffy read that's not especially memorable. 2.5-3.0 stars.
Superintendent Runcorn is spending his holiday time on the isolated island of Anglesey, located off the northwestern coast of Wales. He enjoys walking, and explores the beautiful island while he is staying at a boarding house. One morning he discovers a murdered women, the sister of a clergyman, in the graveyard. Runcorn helps the local constables with their murder investigation since he is more experienced in that type of work after many years in London.
The lonely Runcorn also gets reacquainted with Melisande, the only woman he has ever loved. She lives on Anglesey with her brother who belongs to the landed gentry class. Runcorn comes from a lower class so he has never told Melisande of his love. Runcorn is told by the supervising constable to be extremely tactful when questioning the upper class friends and family of the free spirited murder victim. Is something being hidden?
This is a cozy mystery with a touch of romance and a likable main character. It's a short, fluffy read that's not especially memorable. 2.5-3.0 stars.
May 1, 2015
I enjoy these short little christmas stories, even though I am Jewish. They are good character studies and you needn't have read the series, although there are some spoilers. I have not read the Monk series, but still enjoyed Superintendent Runcorn and his dilemmas. The christmas stories always have a happy ending, usually involving a love story. I listen to the audio books, which are usually short, though I did read the most recent, Jemima's story, even though I am only on about number 5 of the series and she is still a little girl. The Victorian background, the class differences and how people overcome them, plus the mysteries are what keep me reading Perry, who I just discovered in January!! Many books to read.
July 30, 2018
Runcorn of Scotland Yard is spending Christmas on the island of Anglesey off the north coast of Wales.
A woman is found--murdered.
Runcorn finds himself investigating this case.
I've enjoyed the books in this series. Characters are developed to deep levels. Olivia, the woman murdered, was full of charm and grace.
This also was a story of love. Runcorn has never forgotten Melisande Ewart.
Tension builds as the story progresses. Who did it? Red herrings are placed throughout the story. I loved it.
A woman is found--murdered.
Runcorn finds himself investigating this case.
I've enjoyed the books in this series. Characters are developed to deep levels. Olivia, the woman murdered, was full of charm and grace.
This also was a story of love. Runcorn has never forgotten Melisande Ewart.
Tension builds as the story progresses. Who did it? Red herrings are placed throughout the story. I loved it.
November 26, 2025
Great English Countryside Christmas Murder Mystery
I thoroughly enjoyed this stand-alone mystery by Anne Perry who brought us the Victorian crime solving couple Thomas and Charlotte Pitt. This novel featured a particularly gruesome murder on a cold December night in a cemetary. The dark secrets of a small village are delved into by our heroic protagonist. The seeming realism of each of the suspects reason for murder is explored by the protagonist who is a visiting London policeman. A touch of romance for our hero is very nicely played out. Very solid mystery if you like the Agatha Christie style mysteries.
I thoroughly enjoyed this stand-alone mystery by Anne Perry who brought us the Victorian crime solving couple Thomas and Charlotte Pitt. This novel featured a particularly gruesome murder on a cold December night in a cemetary. The dark secrets of a small village are delved into by our heroic protagonist. The seeming realism of each of the suspects reason for murder is explored by the protagonist who is a visiting London policeman. A touch of romance for our hero is very nicely played out. Very solid mystery if you like the Agatha Christie style mysteries.
December 15, 2017
Last December I was struggling to find a historical fiction novel that had a good mystery and involved Christmas in some form. Goodreads kept recommending Anne Perry, and I picked up a few of her novels at the local library. Sadly, there was always something that had me putting the books down by the end of the first chapter. I just couldn’t embrace the characters, or the mystery didn’t intrigue me. I finally picked up the audio version of A Christmas Beginning and it satisfied my Christmas mystery needs.
I won’t provide a summary of the story as the synopsis above does a pretty good job, but I do want to start the review by saying that I wasn’t a huge fan of A Christmas Beginning. With that being said, I am going to state the positives first. I really liked Superintendent Runcorn. I found his gruff personality, subtle kindness, and struggles with self confidence endearing and I would probably love a tv show staring him. He wasn’t perfect, and that’s is what kept me reading. I also enjoyed the murder mystery. The brutality of Olivia Costain’s murder was shocking and stark for the setting, and it may seem morbid, but it was perfect. I was glued to the investigation because 1. I had to know why this murder happened the way it did and 2. I wanted Runcorn to succeed so badly.
Now, you may be asking why I wasn’t a huge fan of this novel after those last two points. It’s because of the writing style. There were times when the prose was tedious and repetitive, and I lost count of the number of times Runcorn was reminded of his social standing and the proper way of everything. Yes, I know it was a different time with different social rules and groups, but the reiteration of this point every few minutes was downright annoying. I also felt aspects of the investigation and reveal were too hurried, which in my opinion, diminished the brutal effect of Olivia’s murder. When I think back on the story months later my initial response is ‘eh.’
Will I be reading another Anne Perry Christmas story this December? Nope. But, I do want to hear from those who love this author and her stories as she is such a staple in the historical fiction community. Please let me know your recommendations, because I loved Runcorn enough to maybe give Perry another try.
What are you reading this Christmas?
Lindsay
Check out more reviews at www.HistoryMysteryBooks.com!
I won’t provide a summary of the story as the synopsis above does a pretty good job, but I do want to start the review by saying that I wasn’t a huge fan of A Christmas Beginning. With that being said, I am going to state the positives first. I really liked Superintendent Runcorn. I found his gruff personality, subtle kindness, and struggles with self confidence endearing and I would probably love a tv show staring him. He wasn’t perfect, and that’s is what kept me reading. I also enjoyed the murder mystery. The brutality of Olivia Costain’s murder was shocking and stark for the setting, and it may seem morbid, but it was perfect. I was glued to the investigation because 1. I had to know why this murder happened the way it did and 2. I wanted Runcorn to succeed so badly.
Now, you may be asking why I wasn’t a huge fan of this novel after those last two points. It’s because of the writing style. There were times when the prose was tedious and repetitive, and I lost count of the number of times Runcorn was reminded of his social standing and the proper way of everything. Yes, I know it was a different time with different social rules and groups, but the reiteration of this point every few minutes was downright annoying. I also felt aspects of the investigation and reveal were too hurried, which in my opinion, diminished the brutal effect of Olivia’s murder. When I think back on the story months later my initial response is ‘eh.’
Will I be reading another Anne Perry Christmas story this December? Nope. But, I do want to hear from those who love this author and her stories as she is such a staple in the historical fiction community. Please let me know your recommendations, because I loved Runcorn enough to maybe give Perry another try.
What are you reading this Christmas?
Lindsay
Check out more reviews at www.HistoryMysteryBooks.com!
June 29, 2023
I liked this book, but it ended too abruptly. I was just getting the feeling that I knew some of the suspects when the villian was unmasked. Still, it was a nice easy book to read and it is near Christmas, so it was timely. I liked getting to know Runcorn better and to see the mystery from his eyes. I'm also glad he finally got some happiness in his life.
February 25, 2009
Clearly a book written for fans of an existing series of which I have never read, and given the weakness of plot in this "valentine," now won't bother with.
December 15, 2008
Superintendent Runcorn--who Anne Perry fans will remember as William Monk's ex-boss--is feeling rather lonely during his holiday on the remote, snowy island of Anglesey, off the north coast of Wales. However, he is suddenly called into action when the sister of the local vicar is discovered murdered and draped over a gravestone in her brother's churchyard. Investigating this tragic crime with the assistance of the beautiful Melisande gives him just the opportunity he needs to spend time with an upper class woman who normally wouldn't give him the time of day. Interweaving the original Christmas story with her own holiday tale, Perry also explores the meaning of Joseph's secondary role compared to that of Mary and Jesus.
I have realised while I read this book that I’m reading them out of order (this is book fifth in the series and the third I read) hopefully I’m not loosing much because they don’t have the same main characters, the Monk series is also mentioned but with just enough detail for us to understand that Inspector Runcorn (the main character) is a secondary character there.
The story starts with Runcorn spending Christmas alone in the Island of Anglesey, he comes across as a sympathetic and vulnerable man who is trying to forget is love for Melisande Ewart. Unfortunately not only Melisande and her brother are also spending the holiday season at Anglesey but he is soon made known by her brother that she is engaged to be married.
While Runcorn is still trying to find a way to deal with his feelings of unexpectedly seeing Melisande again he finds Olivia Costain’s body, the vicar’s sister, who has been murdered. He is asked to help in the investigation and soon finds that Olivia was an attractive young woman with a restless spirit and a fair share of admirers that she kept turning down.
As he tries to dig deeper into who Olivia was and how could she have become a victim of a violent crime of passion Runcorn has to speak with Melisande, her friend, and her brother, one of Olivia´s admirers. He is constantly in a struggle with himself, wanting to ask the right questions but feeling himself not as social adept as to be able to speak without offending or breaking the polite rules of the Victorian world. He also has to face some prejudice against the lower classes he belongs to and the policeman work he does.
All in all it is an interesting story because Runcorn is complex, fragile, unsure of himself, much like all of us are one time or another. It’s his character and his musings that kept me reading, his views on murder and violence, his helpless love for Melisande and I was quite happy that he got the ending he thought was forbidden to him.
A nice read that made me want to continue the Monk series.
Grade: 4/5
I have realised while I read this book that I’m reading them out of order (this is book fifth in the series and the third I read) hopefully I’m not loosing much because they don’t have the same main characters, the Monk series is also mentioned but with just enough detail for us to understand that Inspector Runcorn (the main character) is a secondary character there.
The story starts with Runcorn spending Christmas alone in the Island of Anglesey, he comes across as a sympathetic and vulnerable man who is trying to forget is love for Melisande Ewart. Unfortunately not only Melisande and her brother are also spending the holiday season at Anglesey but he is soon made known by her brother that she is engaged to be married.
While Runcorn is still trying to find a way to deal with his feelings of unexpectedly seeing Melisande again he finds Olivia Costain’s body, the vicar’s sister, who has been murdered. He is asked to help in the investigation and soon finds that Olivia was an attractive young woman with a restless spirit and a fair share of admirers that she kept turning down.
As he tries to dig deeper into who Olivia was and how could she have become a victim of a violent crime of passion Runcorn has to speak with Melisande, her friend, and her brother, one of Olivia´s admirers. He is constantly in a struggle with himself, wanting to ask the right questions but feeling himself not as social adept as to be able to speak without offending or breaking the polite rules of the Victorian world. He also has to face some prejudice against the lower classes he belongs to and the policeman work he does.
All in all it is an interesting story because Runcorn is complex, fragile, unsure of himself, much like all of us are one time or another. It’s his character and his musings that kept me reading, his views on murder and violence, his helpless love for Melisande and I was quite happy that he got the ending he thought was forbidden to him.
A nice read that made me want to continue the Monk series.
Grade: 4/5
November 30, 2021
This is the fourth in the Christmas Stories series that I've listened to now, and these Christmas novellas are my introduction to Anne Perry's work. This one was more melancholy then the others I have read and there isn't a true meaning of Christmas message at all which was a bit disappointing. This is the first one I've read where I felt a bit at a disadvantage because I didn't have the hero's backstory. From what I could piece together he's a secondary character in the Monk series but not always an honourable one. At least, he seems to have regrets over turning a blind eye to certain things in order to progress up the ranks. So a lot of time is spent in his mind battling his sense of inadequacies and unrequited love for one of the islanders. There is a glimmer of hope at the end and the mystery was engaging. Perry's descriptive prose shines through and creates quite the ambiance...it's just left me a bit down in the dumps which isn't what I'm looking for in a Christmas read...even one that involves murder!
December 2, 2017
Not the best
Promising start but flags shortly after. Plot all over the place,slow in places, then and dash to finish. No most certainly not Anne Perry's best Christmas novella - disappointing read
Promising start but flags shortly after. Plot all over the place,slow in places, then and dash to finish. No most certainly not Anne Perry's best Christmas novella - disappointing read
December 13, 2019
Much like her early Thomas Pitt novels. Very Victorian, the investigation into the murder of a genteel young woman in Anglesey near Christmas is done by Inspector Runcorn, vacationing there from London. Much like Pitt, Runcorn is a sad middle aged man, who realizes during the investigation, how much he himself has missed out on in his life. If you like Perry’s early Pitt (or evening Monk) novels, you will probably like this one. I found it repetitive however, so much back and forth about the victim and the potential murderers with the eventual solution not really a surprise. And the theme of Christmas is simply that the novel is set at Christmas. Unlike some of her other Christmas novellas, there really is nothing Christmasey about its theme. I did like the ending though.
December 4, 2023
This novel takes us to a Welsh island for Christmastime. The local vicar's unmarried sister is murdered, and so goes on this mystery. I like a good Anne Perry holiday novel, although this one didn't strike my fancy quite as much as other titles by her have done for me. The clues started veering off course to alternate leads that felt ill-placed in the plot -- in my humble opinion. The end of the book did make me smile. I'll still read another holiday Perry novel again next year.
Recommended minimum reading age: 16 years or older, due to the inferred content.
Recommended minimum reading age: 16 years or older, due to the inferred content.
May 13, 2019
Inspector Runcorn is spending his Christmas holidays on Anglesey Island when he finds the body of a young woman on a walk. He battles both local superstition of outsiders and his own doubts as he works to solve the case. I found the prose convoluted and often tedious as the main character tested his crime solving skills without his mentor Monk. This short novel may only be for hardcore Anne Perry fans and lovers of Dickensian prose.
January 30, 2024
Superintendent Runcorn of Scotland Yard (and William Monk's boss) is on vacation on the island of Anglesey off the north coast of Wales. At church, he meets others in the parish, and admires a young, beautiful woman, Olivia Costain, who is the younger sister of the vicar. Runcorn is shocked when he finds her dead in the cemetery the next day, brutally stabbed and with no signs of struggle.
He also realizes that Olivia reminds him of the woman he fell in love with Melisande Ewart, who is living on the island with her snooty brother Barclay. While Runcorn feels he would be seen as a pushy, lower class outsider if her were to ask questions, Melisande approaches him to get involved.
He volunteers his experience to the ensuing investigation, which allows Runcorn to ask difficult questions of the free-spirited Olivia's former suitors, which include not only the man in charge of the investigation, but Barclay and a local gentleman. Olivia had rejected all their proposals, and Runcorn wonders would any of them be the killer. The locals are frightened that some madman could be on the loose on their safe island.
Runcorn gets to the truth after a secret about Olivia is revealed. The local investigator takes all the locals’ praise and arrests the murderer. And Runcorn? He gets the best Christmas present: a chance at love and happiness.
Enjoyable, and made me interested in meeting William Monk.
He also realizes that Olivia reminds him of the woman he fell in love with Melisande Ewart, who is living on the island with her snooty brother Barclay. While Runcorn feels he would be seen as a pushy, lower class outsider if her were to ask questions, Melisande approaches him to get involved.
He volunteers his experience to the ensuing investigation, which allows Runcorn to ask difficult questions of the free-spirited Olivia's former suitors, which include not only the man in charge of the investigation, but Barclay and a local gentleman. Olivia had rejected all their proposals, and Runcorn wonders would any of them be the killer. The locals are frightened that some madman could be on the loose on their safe island.
Runcorn gets to the truth after a secret about Olivia is revealed. The local investigator takes all the locals’ praise and arrests the murderer. And Runcorn? He gets the best Christmas present: a chance at love and happiness.
Enjoyable, and made me interested in meeting William Monk.
January 29, 2025
I am so sad about Anne Perry's passing. I will miss her books so much. I have put off reading her last book because it will be the end. Then I remembered her Christmas books. I've read several of them, but not all, so I'm looking them up. I enjoyed this one
December 25, 2021
3.5* rounded up to 4*
December 31, 2022
The ending changed the stars from 3 to 3.5.
November 23, 2021
My Interest
Aside from my participation in 20 Books For Christmas (albeit for a goal of 10) and Novellas in November, I have been a fan of Anne Perry’s William Monk series for a long time. I admit that one book (I won’t say which) was “too much” for me in terms of grisliness, but I love Monk and Hester and the others. I do not normally review series books due to spoilers. This is a Christmas book–another “between the numbers” and does not feature any of the major characters, so it is a safe one to review. It works well as a stand-alone, too.
The Story
“Runcorn was second fiddle, never first, but he had played the more beautiful tune.”
Americans who have actually heard of the island of Anglsey today, know it as where Prince William was a helicopter search/rescue pilot in the RAF early in his marriage to Catherine, before Prince George was born. Until listening to this story, I had no idea that William flew over part of his “destiny” i.e Carnarvon Castle where his father and his great-great uncle David were both invested as Prince of Wales.
But that’s not part of the story…..
Back in the time of the previous longest-reigning Queen (Victoria, David’s Gan-Gan, and Williams Gr-Gr-Gr-Grandmother, Victoria) Scotland Yard’s Superintendent Runcorn, well know to Monk fans, is having Christmas mas on the island. While out for a walk he finds the recently dead body of a young woman, the sister of the vicar. The local police can go no further than to call it the work of a “madman.” Runcorn, with his training, knows better. The victim was a young woman with a penchant for turning down suitors and for living her own life. So who did kill Olivia?
My Thoughts
Keeping in mind that I listened to part of this on my way in to clean out my office after my job, and those of 7% of my division, were cut, I thought this one “draggy” places in it–strange for a novella. Anne Perry’s books rarely drag. It picked up speed, or Perry found her pacing, (I’m not sure which) at about the middle of the story. From there I was hooked. And, OH THAT ENDING! [No spoilers].
My Verdict
3.5
Aside from my participation in 20 Books For Christmas (albeit for a goal of 10) and Novellas in November, I have been a fan of Anne Perry’s William Monk series for a long time. I admit that one book (I won’t say which) was “too much” for me in terms of grisliness, but I love Monk and Hester and the others. I do not normally review series books due to spoilers. This is a Christmas book–another “between the numbers” and does not feature any of the major characters, so it is a safe one to review. It works well as a stand-alone, too.
The Story
“Runcorn was second fiddle, never first, but he had played the more beautiful tune.”
Americans who have actually heard of the island of Anglsey today, know it as where Prince William was a helicopter search/rescue pilot in the RAF early in his marriage to Catherine, before Prince George was born. Until listening to this story, I had no idea that William flew over part of his “destiny” i.e Carnarvon Castle where his father and his great-great uncle David were both invested as Prince of Wales.
But that’s not part of the story…..
Back in the time of the previous longest-reigning Queen (Victoria, David’s Gan-Gan, and Williams Gr-Gr-Gr-Grandmother, Victoria) Scotland Yard’s Superintendent Runcorn, well know to Monk fans, is having Christmas mas on the island. While out for a walk he finds the recently dead body of a young woman, the sister of the vicar. The local police can go no further than to call it the work of a “madman.” Runcorn, with his training, knows better. The victim was a young woman with a penchant for turning down suitors and for living her own life. So who did kill Olivia?
My Thoughts
Keeping in mind that I listened to part of this on my way in to clean out my office after my job, and those of 7% of my division, were cut, I thought this one “draggy” places in it–strange for a novella. Anne Perry’s books rarely drag. It picked up speed, or Perry found her pacing, (I’m not sure which) at about the middle of the story. From there I was hooked. And, OH THAT ENDING! [No spoilers].
My Verdict
3.5
December 17, 2021
I have read several of Anne Perry's little Christmas novels before, but this one really entertained me. I like the character of Superintendent Runcorn (first name?) He is a bachelor policeman who is "married" to his job. When he takes a Christmas holiday on the island of Anglesey off the coast of Wales, he is only looking for quiet and some long solitary walks. A lot of walks. He discovers the body of Olivia Costain, the vicar's sister, who lives with him and his wife. He is invited to help in the investigation, being more used to homicides, but the locals are not forthcoming to a stranger. Coupled with this, Runcorn finds that Melisande, a widow from a past investigation lives here. Runcorn is obsessed with her beauty and feels too old, jaded, and ordinary, to tempt her into a relationship. She already has a suitor picked out by her brother. There is a bit of repetition here and some red herrings, but a satisfying mystery. All in all, to find Christmas, mystery, and romance all in one little book was surprising and enjoyable.
August 4, 2017
This novel had little to do with Christmas, except that a murder took place about that time of year. While on holiday, Superintendent Runcorn stumbles upon the dead body of the vicar’s lovely younger sister. He investigates the murder, a difficult task since he must be careful not to tread upon people’s sense of propriety and honor. The novel is short and yet parts of it seem to drag on. However, the conclusion and the fact that Runcorn may actually find love at his somewhat advanced age makes it a worthwhile read.
December 13, 2020
In addition to an interesting mystery, this story offered more—a hopeful future for Superintendent Runcorn of Scotland Yard. Though he is an experienced detective, his skills aren’t appreciated because he isn’t of the upper class. Nevertheless, Runcorn continues, and solves the case. But that is second to the hint of romance for Runcorn.
January 5, 2022
A fun little Victorian Christmas mystery by Anne Perry, although it really has nothing to do with Christmas. This one features Monk's former boss, Retired Superintendent Runcorn, who gets a chance to solve a brutal murder on Angelsey.
Terrance Harriman is a wonderful narrator, as usual.
Terrance Harriman is a wonderful narrator, as usual.
December 22, 2022
Detective Runcorn is on Christmas vacation when a beautiful lady is murdered. It is not his area, but he helps the local police solve the crime. It was not a very Christmassy book. Rather bleak, actually.
December 15, 2021
3.5 stars. I would have rated it higher except for the fact that the biggest clue came out of thin air! Superintendent Runcorn of Scotland Yard is dragged into a murder investigation while he is on Christmas holiday. Runcorn discovers the body of Olivia, the vicar's younger sister, in the graveyard. She was stabbed by someone she knew and trusted since there were not any defensive wounds and she was facing her assailant. Runcorn is allowed by the inspector on the case, Faraday, to help with the investigation but he is loath to admit to the residents that it is one of their own who did the deed, preferring to believe that it was the work of an outsider. So Runcorn's investigations ruffles some feathers in town. Those who bristled at his involvement include Newbridge and Barclay, two former suiters of Olivia's. It was well known that Olivia had turned down Newbridge's marriage proposal but Barclay himself was the one to break off his relationship with Olivia. To complicated matters, Faraday was also a long-ago suiter of Olivia's and he is now engaged to Barclay's sister, Melissande, who Runcorn is secretly in love with. Was one of Olivia's former suiters responsible for her death? Then, out of the blue, Faraday tells Runcorn that he found out that the vicar's wife had previously had an affair and became pregnant. When she gave birth to the child, she killed it, and Olivia knew. Say what?! Where did this come from?! With a little investigating, Runcorn is able to establish that it was not the vicar's wife who was pregnant but Olivia and that the baby died a natural death shortly after birth. The child was the result of her love affair with a boy who left to chase adventures in Africa. Barclay found out and that was why he broke off his relationship with Olivia. But, that not being enough humiliation, he told Newbridge who flew into a rage at having been lied to by Olivia and it was he who killed Olivia. The redeeming part of the book was that in the end Melissande broke off her engagement to Faraday in order to marry Runcorn and, while it is not enough punishment for what he did to Olivia, it will no doubt infuriate her brother.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2017
3,5/5 Sterne
December 11, 2023
I wanted to like this book, but at times it’s tedious and seems to drag on forever. It’s just okay.
January 2, 2023
Anne Perry's Christmas books make me look forward to December every year....
January 4, 2018
Out of all the books that I have read in this series, I really liked this one the best so far.
March 20, 2016
It's a cosy enough Christmas-time Victorian murder mystery, although nothing amazing. It was the first book by Anne Perry that I've read and I wonder if I'm missing something because she kept referring to another character/detective, Monk, who isn't in the book, as well as a past investigation that had involved three of the main characters. So maybe these characters and plot have been previously developed, and would so mean more to people who have read the other book, whatever that may be.
It's set on Anglesey, the Welsh island, and Detective Runcorn, a man in his fifties, has come for his holidays from London. So he takes to strolling about on the windswept beaches and along the coast and brooding about this woman he met during a previous investigation, Melisande, whom he is madly in love with. Goodness though, Melisande and her brother are in a rented property in the village and Melisande is engaged to another man! Then the vicar's sister is murdered and even though he's on his hols, he helps out and investigates. If it had just been that it would have been fine but there's this supposed love story in it, which lets it down. They have a couple of brief conversations about the murder, then literally on the last page she says to him, why won't you tell me that you love me; er, ok, I do; great, lets get married; ok! THE END. What?! Hmm, is what I have to say to that.
It's set on Anglesey, the Welsh island, and Detective Runcorn, a man in his fifties, has come for his holidays from London. So he takes to strolling about on the windswept beaches and along the coast and brooding about this woman he met during a previous investigation, Melisande, whom he is madly in love with. Goodness though, Melisande and her brother are in a rented property in the village and Melisande is engaged to another man! Then the vicar's sister is murdered and even though he's on his hols, he helps out and investigates. If it had just been that it would have been fine but there's this supposed love story in it, which lets it down. They have a couple of brief conversations about the murder, then literally on the last page she says to him, why won't you tell me that you love me; er, ok, I do; great, lets get married; ok! THE END. What?! Hmm, is what I have to say to that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2018
I was a little disappointed with the fifth book of Perry's Christmas Stories series. Kind of like when you were a kid and thinking you would get that ultimate Christmas present everybody was wanting yet you got a sweater. I kept thinking we would be getting a surprise twist ending right up until it was over. I thought this will be cool to have the killer everyone wants it to be revealed at the very end. Nope. Just the bland killer that will be put in the drawer and forgotten in the next few days.
Superintendent Rufcorn of Scotland Yard is going to take some time off. Being a lonely bachelor he heads to the island of Anglesey just north of Wales. Rufcorn can't avoid crime as he finds a murdered young lady, Olivia, in the churchyard. It seems Olivia had many suitors but she had never been married. Olivia was also the vicar's sister.
During his stay on the island, Rufcorn runs into Barclay and his sister Melisande who he knew from previous Perry books. It seems Rufcorn has a thing for Melisande but she is dating Faraday who is actually in charge of the murder investigation. Plus he at one time had dated the deceased Olivia.
Nice story but the ending was disappointing.
Superintendent Rufcorn of Scotland Yard is going to take some time off. Being a lonely bachelor he heads to the island of Anglesey just north of Wales. Rufcorn can't avoid crime as he finds a murdered young lady, Olivia, in the churchyard. It seems Olivia had many suitors but she had never been married. Olivia was also the vicar's sister.
During his stay on the island, Rufcorn runs into Barclay and his sister Melisande who he knew from previous Perry books. It seems Rufcorn has a thing for Melisande but she is dating Faraday who is actually in charge of the murder investigation. Plus he at one time had dated the deceased Olivia.
Nice story but the ending was disappointing.
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